Gift card box toppers

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention relates generally to various embodiments of holders and packaging for giving gifts. In particular, the invention relates to various gift card holders that hold a gift card and enhance the presentation and gift giving experience for recipients and gift givers alike.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/824,853 filed on May 17, 2013, entitled “Gift Card Box Toppers” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Transaction cards, stored value cards, or gift cards are popular gifts. Gift cards typically comprise a stored value card whereby a certain cash equivalent value is encoded upon a magnetic strip applied to the surface of the card. This stored value may be determined by the vendor prior to packaging and display for sale or may be selected at the point of sale by the purchaser and loaded by the cashier using a magnetic card reader/writer. Although popular, gift cards are typically provided with a generic and impersonal design. In addition, gift cards are often given in simple un-adorned envelopes or impersonal sleeves. This may minimize the gift giving experience and emotional value for both gift giver and the recipient.

Therefore, a need exists for a gift card holder that provides graphical and/or mechanical enhancements to entertain the gift card recipient and add emotional and personal value to the gift and the gift giver.

SUMMARY

This invention relates generally to gift card holders and more particularly to a device for holding a gift card or gift card packet while providing graphical and mechanical enhancements to entertain the gift card recipient and add value to the gift giving experience for the gift giver. In addition, the gift card holders are suitable for inclusion with another gift, including but not limited to a box of chocolates.

In one embodiment, a gift card box topper includes a decorative ribbon that is folded in to a bow, an envelope to receive the gift card. The envelope may be engaged to the ribbon by an adhesive. The gift card box topper also includes a clothespin that is engaged to both the envelope and the ribbon. The box topper further includes at least one removable adhesive to engage the ribbon to the box top, thereby affixing the entire gift card box topper to the gift.

In another embodiment, the gift card box topper includes a bi-fold card holder that may be further adorned with a rosette and additional decorations. For example, the bi-fold holder may include a rosette and a heart-shaped decoration. The bi-fold card holder may be attached to a gift or box of chocolates using a removable adhesive. In various embodiments, the bi-fold holder includes a one or more tabs that may engage and retain a gift card. In other embodiments, the bi-fold holder includes slits in a planar material of the holder to engage a corner or edge of a gift card. In other embodiments, a gift card may be retained in the holder by an adhesive.

Details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages may be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a gift card box topper engaged to a gift, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a gift card box topper engaged to a box of chocolates, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a planar view of one surface of a ribbon according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a planar view of a surface opposite the ribbon surface shown in FIG. 3, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a planar view of the ribbon surface in FIG. 3 after being folded into a bow, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a picture of a clothespin according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a picture of clothespin according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a planar view of a planar material that may form an envelope according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 9A-B depict a gift card box topper engaged to a backer card according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 depicts a gift card box topper engaged to a backer card, in an open configuration, for display at a retail location according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 depicts a gift card box topper engaged to a backer card, in a closed configuration, for display at a retail location according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 depicts a gift card box topper engaged to a backer card and containing a prepackaged gift card for display at a retail location according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 13A-G depict another embodiment of a gift card box topper.

FIGS. 14A-20 are additional figures of various designs and indicia for the gift card box topper.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to gift card holders that enhance the gift giving experience for both the gift giver and the gift recipient. In addition, gift card holders allow the gift giver to further enhance the appearance and appeal another present such as a box of chocolates or other gifts. In various aspects, the gift card holders of the present invention include a number of decorative and functional features that allow a gift giver to add personalization and other enhancements when giving a gift card in conjunction with another gift.

FIGS. 1-2 are views of one embodiment of a gift card box topper 10 after attachment to a gift 20 or a box of chocolates 30. The gift card box topper 10 includes a ribbon 100 that is folded and/or tied into a bow configuration, an attachment device 102, such as a clothespin, and an envelope 104 to hold a gift card placed therein. In various aspects, the ribbon 100, clothespin 102, and or envelope 104, may include various indicia 106 that correspond to the holiday or gift-giving occasion. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the gift card box topper 10 may include indicia 106 corresponding to a romantic occasion, such as Valentines Day; and therefore, may be given in conjunction with the box of chocolates 30.

In various embodiments, gift card box topper 10, and in particular, the ribbon 100 is attached to the gift 20 via a removable adhesive 112, shown in FIG. 9A. In one aspect, the envelope 104 is attached to the ribbon 100 using only the clothespin 102. In another aspect, the clothespin 102 is provided, at least in part for aesthetic purposes and may not be the sole means to secure the envelope 104 to the ribbon. In this aspect, the envelope 104 may also be attached to the ribbon 100 via an adhesive 114, as indicated in FIG. 3. The adhesive 114 more be permanent or alternatively, a removable adhesive.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, depict embodiments of the ribbon 100 in various configurations. As shown in FIGS. 3, and 4, the ribbon may be a planar material that can be folded, bent, twisted, or otherwise arranged to form a bow 40, as shown in FIG. 5. In various embodiments, the ribbon 100 may be made of a fabric, paper, cardstock, plastic, or other suitable pliable material. In another embodiment, the ribbon 100 may be a rigid material that is formed into a ribbon shape by any suitable process. As shown in FIG. 4, one side of the ribbon 100 may include one or more adhesive locations 116A-C, where an adhesive may be applied to the ribbon to aid in forming and maintaining the bow 40. In various aspects, the adhesive locations, may receive a permanent or removable adhesive. The ribbon may also include one or more attachment points 118A-B for attaching the folded ribbon 100 to a backer card 300, as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10-12.

In one embodiment, the clothespin 102 may be a single body 500 with two or more extended prongs 502-504 separated by a small gap 506, similar to the clothespin shown in FIG. 6. In one aspect, the prongs 502-504 are biased towards one another to grip and hold items placed between them. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the clothespin 102 may include two or more prongs 600-602 oriented around a fulcrum 604, such that when distal ends 606-608 of each of the two prongs 600-602 are rotated towards one another, the proximal ends 610-612 of the prongs open up away from one another. In various other embodiments, other devices and configurations for holding attaching the ribbon to the envelope may be used.

The envelope 104 may be formed by cutting, scoring, and or folding a planar material 200, as shown in FIG. 8. In various aspects, that planar material 200 is a paper stock, cardstock, chipboard, cardboard, or pasteboard. In one aspect, the envelope 104 may be formed by cutting and folding the planar material 200. In another aspect, an exterior surface 202A of the planar material may be printed, painted, or otherwise marked with indicia 106, while the interior 202B surfaces of the planar material may remain unadorned. Alternately, both surfaces 202A and 202B may be printed, painted, or otherwise marked with indicia 106. The planar material is cut to form a generally rectangular portion 204, as well as a number of side panels 206A-D. The rectangular portion 204 and the side panels 206A-D are defined and separated by one or more folds 208A-D. The planar material may also include one or more attachment points 210A-B, where an adhesive or other attachment means may be applied to the planar material for forming and maintaining the envelope configuration, as well as an indication of an attachment point 212 for the clothespin 102. The side panel 206A includes a curvilinear slit 208. The curvilinear slit 208 is positioned such that it engages a portion of the side panel 206B, which serves a front flap when the planar material 200 is folded to form the envelope 104, as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 10-12. When a portion of the side panel 206B is inserted into the curvilinear slit 208, the envelope is held close to secure a gift card 400, shown in FIG. 12, that is placed within the envelope 104.

FIG. 9A is a partial see-through view of an embodiment of the gift card box topper 10 as arranged for sale at a retail location. As shown, the folded ribbon 100, clothespin 102, and envelope 104 may be engaged to one another and attached to a backer card 300. The backer card 300 may include a detachable attachment tab 302 where the folded ribbon 100 may be adhered to the tab using a removable adhesive, such as the removable adhesive 112, or other removable attachment means. As shown, in FIG. 9B, the detachable attachment tab 302 may be detached from the backer card 300 by a series of perforations 304. In one aspect, the backer card 300 includes one or more cutouts 306 to receive a post or other structure or device, such that the backer card 300 and attached gift card box topper may be displayed at a retail location.

FIGS. 10-11 also depict embodiments of the gift card box topper 10 assembled for retail. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, the gift card box topper 10 may be provided in an open configuration where a manufacturer, purchaser, gift giver, or any other party who uses the gift card box topper 10 may place a gift card 400 within the envelope 104. After placing the gift card 400 within the envelope, the clothespin 102 is opened and the side panel 206B is folded along line 208B towards the side panel 206A, to close the envelope. In another embodiment, the gift card box topper 10 may be displayed in a closed configuration as shown in FIG. 11.

In one aspect, the gift card box topper 10 may be prepackaged with a gift card. In this aspect, the gift card box topper 10 may be presented for sale as shown in FIG. 12. In this aspect, information regarding the retailer and value associated with the gift card 400 may be printed on the backer panel 300 to inform the purchaser or gift giver about the gift card prepackaged within the envelope 104.

FIGS. 13A-H depict another embodiment of a gift card box topper. In this embodiment, the gift card box topper includes a bi-fold card holder that may be further adorned with a rosette and additional decorations. For example, the bi-fold holder may include a rosette and a heart-shaped decoration. The bi-fold card holder may be attached to a gift or box of chocolates using a removable adhesive. In various embodiments, the bi-fold holder includes a one or more tabs that may engage and retain a gift card. In other embodiments, the bi-fold holder includes slits in a planar material of the holder to engage a corner or edge of a gift card. In other embodiments, a gift card may be retained in the holder by an adhesive.

The rosette may be formed from a planar material that is cut and/or folded to form the generally pleated rosette. The pleated rosette may then be adhered to a top surface of the bi-fold holder. An occasion related decoration, such as but not limited to a heart, may then be adhered to the rosette, such that the pleats of the rosette encircle the occasion-related decoration. Other decorations may be used with this embodiment of the box topper, as well as with the other embodiments of the box topper. The decorations may correspond to any holiday, or occasion. Alternately, the decoration may be any decorative shape, design, mark, or device.

FIGS. 14A-20 depict additional features and elements of various embodiments of the gift card box topper.

It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure have been described in the context of particular implementations. Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently in various embodiments of the disclosure or described with different terminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for affixing a gift card to a box top comprising: a ribbon having a general bow configuration; an envelope to receive the gift card, wherein the envelope is engaged to the ribbon by an adhesive; a clothespin engaged to the envelope and the ribbon; and at least one removable adhesive to engage the ribbon to the box top.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the box top is engaged to a gift box.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the gift box is a box of chocolates.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the ribbon comprises fabric, paper, cardstock, plastic, or a pliable material.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the ribbon is a rigid material formed into a ribbon shape.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the ribbon comprises at least one adhesive location.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the clothespin comprises at least two prongs.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the envelope comprises paper stock, cardstock, chipboard, cardboard, or pasteboard.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the envelope is printed, painted, or otherwise marked with indicia.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the ribbon, clothespin, and envelope are engaged to one another and engaged to a backer card for sale at a retail location.
 11. A device for affixing a gift card to a box top comprising: a bi-fold holder for retaining the gift card; a pleated rosette engaged to the bi-fold holder; a decorative device engaged to the rosette, such that rosette is visible around the decorative device; and at least one removable adhesive to engage the bi-fold holder to the box top.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the bi-fold holder comprises at least one tab to engage and retain the gift card.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the bi-fold holder comprises at least one slit to engage and retain the gift card.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein the box top is engaged to a gift box.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the gift box is a box of chocolates.
 16. The device of claim 11, wherein the decorative device is a shape, design, mark, or device.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the decorative device is a heart-shaped decoration. 